Fathers' Day
Next Date
June 21st, 2026
Father's Day is a celebration that honors fatherhood and paternal bonds. It is a special day dedicated to acknowledging the contributions that fathers make to their families and to society as a whole. The idea of Father's Day has been around for centuries, and has evolved over time to become the holiday that we know today.
The origins of Father's Day can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Babylon, where a young boy named Elmesu carved a message of love and gratitude to his father on a clay tablet. In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church celebrated Father's Day on March 19th, which is the feast day of Saint Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ.
However, the modern Father's Day as we know it today was first celebrated in the United States in the early 20th century. The idea was first proposed by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was inspired by the Mother's Day celebrations that had become popular in the US. She wanted to honor her own father, who had raised six children on his own after his wife died in childbirth.
The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19th, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. The day was chosen because it was the birthday of Sonora's father, William Jackson Smart. The holiday quickly gained popularity, and soon other states began to celebrate it as well. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father's Day as a national holiday, and it has been celebrated on the third Sunday in June ever since.
Over the years, Father's Day has become an important holiday in many countries around the world. It is celebrated in a variety of ways, including gift-giving, family gatherings, and special meals. In some countries, such as Mexico and Italy, Father's Day is celebrated on a different day than in the US.
Despite its popularity, Father's Day has also been the subject of controversy over the years. Some people argue that it is a commercial holiday that has been created by the greeting card industry, while others believe that it is an important way to honor the contributions of fathers to their families and to society.